Ukrainian Social Club

Gone

Closed 6 May 2016

There now

Change of use granted; not established what is there now

Address

2 Silloth Street

Set up by Ukrainians displaced by the Second World War rather than returned to Communist rule, many of whom had first been housed at a British labour camp at Smalstown Camp, Longtown. The Carlisle branch opened its first social club at Grosvenor House, Warwick Square, in November 1957, and moved in 1965 into the former St Bede's Catholic Church and its house, after the council approved alterations for a function room, kitchen and coffee room -- almost certainly the 2 Silloth Street building this entry is filed under, though nothing found here states the two addresses are the same in so many words.

Membership had fallen to 15 by 2004, from an original 85, though some English members had since joined; the club served as a flood refuge during the Great Flood of January 2005. It held a certificate rather than a licence, the usual form for a members' club, and CAMRA's note on it is as plain as the club's purpose: a club, which means the bar may only be open to members. Marked earlier that spring by a Northern Soul night on 9 April, it closed for good on 6 May 2016 and was recorded as closed long term the same day, with a change of use granted. What became of the building afterwards has not been established.

Sources

• CAMRA WhatPub: Ukrainian Social Club, Carlisle, set up for Ukrainians displaced after World War II, closed 6 May 2016
• Carlisle Encyclopaedia, "U" page: 1957 founding, Smalstown Camp, the 1965 move, membership figures and the 2005 flood